Project 333: Update

About a month ago I introduced a nifty new project I was beginning called Project 333. You can check out my post here. The short story is this: "simple is the new black" when it comes to the wardrobe. Well, three weeks have gone by, four garbage bags have gone to the thrift store and I fee like I've lost fifty pounds! And the best part? I don't miss a single thing that I gave away!

My closet before starting Project 333

I've learned a very important lessons since beginning Project 333: I LOVE stuff. I tend to hoard clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories just for the sake of having stuff. I thought I was pretty fortunate to have lots of options to choose from, but I was simply overcomplicating my life with things that I never used!

I still have plenty of wardrobe purging to do, but I've found that I work more effectively cleaning my closet in waves; I go through everything to make sure I know what I have and then focus on two or three pieces. I'll think about them for two or three days and if I don't try it on and love it within that dwelling period, it's gone. I know that taking it slow might sound reluctant, but I do this in order to insure that I don't give away anything that I will miss later. And you know what? It works!

My closet after three weeks of Project 333

The criteria for clothes to stay or go were simple but rigid:

First, is it in good condition? If it is missing a button or has holes, snags or is otherwise shabby looking, I can either fix it right away or give it away. I gave away lots of clothes simply because I never got around to repairing them. My thought process behind this method? If I loved it enough, I would fix it so I could wear it right away. If it's waiting to be fixed, I'm obviously not waiting to wear it.

Second, does it look good on me? If I bought it hoping that I could somehow "make it work", it needs to go. There definitely is such thing as an outfit that you don't have to try to look good in. It's as simple as buying clothes that flatter your figure. So, if I had to try to make it work, it had to go. I have to be honest with myself: when it comes to clothing, I rarely want to try. I just want to put it on and go!

My last criteria in determining whether or not an item of clothing was to stay or go was based on a little trick I did when I moved into this apartment: I flipped my hangers backwards like so:

See those backward hangers? That means that I haven't worn that piece of clothing since before July.

The first items of clothing I gave away were almost all of the backward facing hangers. Obviously I didn't get rid of everything on a backward hanger, but I didn't turn them around to remind myself to either wear it or get rid of it. After I have gotten rid of my other questionable items of clothing, I will turn all of the hangers around again and check back in about 6 months. This is an easy way to get rid of clothes---you do the work for yourself without the hard decision making! 

The last important lesson I've learned from Project 333 is that spending more on something that will last forever is so much more financially responsible for me than splurging on a bunch of cheap things that will only last one season. I love to shop and oftentimes I will indulge myself by buying cheap things just for the sake of bringing something new home. I am a textbook impulse buyer. This is BAD! I always end up giving that item of clothing away within a matter of months.

To counter these horrible spending habits, I have decided to only spend money on things of quality. They last longer, they usually look better on me, and I can get a great cost-per-wear out of them. I'm not talking about buying name brand everything. Instead, I'm intending on doing my research and only buying from trusted brands. Use it up, wear it out!

I cleared up so much space in my closet that I can fit my jewelry dresser next to my clothes. I love it!

Project 333 has been so helpful in simplifying my life. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who feels overwhelmed by all of their stuff. I am loving living with less!